Dr Noor Fatima (Economist): Historically speaking we have rarely witnessed current account surplus in our country. Now we have achieved current account surplus as result of effective economic policies of the government. Multiple factors have played their due role in our current account surplus; increased tune of remittances and exports along with reduced quantity of imports are major factors in this regard. Increased tune of remittances is also a reflection of overseas Pakistanis’ trust and confidence in the economic policies of the government. The measures of governance play vital role to check inflation in case of higher circulation of economy when we feel some sort of economic pressure. Currently we need to pay serious attention to higher our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. We are also required to higher our GDP growth to benefit from the foreign investors in China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). We need to diversify our economy on modern ways; we can improve almost all of our economic sectors through digitalization. We need to facilitate domestic and foreign investors equally for mass industrialization. We must not discriminate between different sectors on the basis of tax ratios. Our youth needs to be facilitated to higher our services sectors to increase services’ exports to the world especially in the IT sector.

Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig (MNA/Economist): We are fortunate that our current account is surplus for last three consecutive months. The continuous surplus in the current account is result of incumbent government’s economic policies. Our imports have been reduced over nine percent. It is also a good omen that our foreign reserves are also very strong at present. Major reason for our current account surplus is higher remittances which stand over $34 billion as well as lowered import and enhanced exports. We set a new record in rice export rice last year. We will have to be careful about the supply of standard fertilizers to our farmers. Our cotton has shown a downward trend as we got only seven billion bales this season therefore this sector also needs to have some sort of government’s attention. The government and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) are working on stringent measures and steps bringing non-filers in the tax net. The finance minister has courageously admitted that minimum threshold for tax money should be enhanced and already taxed people may not be further burdened with new taxes. Oil prices are going up and it will increase cost of our exports.